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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Jeremy Mathieu and Kostas Manolas

By Chiranjib Ghosh

VILLANUEVA DE LA SERENA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 28: Jeremy Mathieu of FC Barcelona lines up a shot at goal during of the Copa del Rey Last of 16 First Leg match between C.F. Villanovense and F.C. Barcelona at estadio Romero Cuerda on October 28, 2015 in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
VILLANUEVA DE LA SERENA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 28: Jeremy Mathieu of FC Barcelona lines up a shot at goal during of the Copa del Rey Last of 16 First Leg match between C.F. Villanovense and F.C. Barcelona at estadio Romero Cuerda on October 28, 2015 in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
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Jeremy Mathieu leaves Barcelona and signs for Sporting CP

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The board has finally given Robert Fernandez free reins now to offload the dead weights. Barcelona actually paid the compensation amount to Mathieu to get rid of him. But it is for the better.

Jeremy Mathieu endured a terrible 2016-17 season. He made just 13 appearances for the first-team, with a horrible average rating of 6.65. His poor form led to unavailability of good backup and in the latter stages of the season, poor defensive performances due to fatigue for first-choice Pique and Samuel Umtiti.

Barcelona released the following statement in their website :

"FC Barcelona and Jeremy Mathieu have agreed to terminate the player’s contract, after three full seasons at the club.FC Barcelona wishes the player the best of luck                                                                                              and success in his next professional step."

Mathieu has already taken his next professional step. It is with Portuguese club Sporting CP. Jorge Jesus was interested in getting Mathieu on board for a long time. The move has materialised now.

Mathieu trained with Sporting and appeared for a trial. After passing the club, his new club announced :

"Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD announces that it has reached an agreement with the player Jeremy Mathieu to sign a contract valid for the next two seasons and with a termination clause set at €60 million.Sporting SAD wishes Jeremy Mathieu the greatest professional and personal happiness."

This comes as a relief to many Barcelona fans, including myself.

Barcelona target Roma central defender Kostas Manolas

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 04: Kostas Manolas of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on March 4, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 04: Kostas Manolas of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on March 4, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images) /

Kostas Manolas has been one of the hottest prospects in Europe for a long time. He burst onto the scene in the 2013-14 season with Olympiacos. After a brilliant season in Greece, he attracted several Premier League clubs. But he opted to sign for AS Roma.

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His upward spiral continued in Rome and soon, he was the most wanted defender in Europe. But instead of going to England or France, he chose to stay. But now, as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan have expressed their interest, it is unlikely that Manolas will continue at Roma.

Manolas is very ambitious. He was due to move to Zenit St. Petersburg but he cancelled it at the last moment. But his agent, Ioannis Evangelopoulus has talked up a move for him.

Recently, Evangelopoulus made some comments that have not gone down well with the Roma management.

"He said, “I prefer not to comment on what happened with Zenit. I’ll just go so far as to say a decision was made, but I won’t go further than that.What happens next? I reply by pointing out Kostas is already a Roma player. He is in pre-season training and working with the squad. ”About a possible transfer, he said, “Inter could be a possibility, on a par with many other teams: Barcelona could be, Real Madrid could be, Juventus could be… There are always many names mentioned.”He also downplayed chances of a new deal, saying, “Renewal? He is already at Roma and has a contract for another two years.”"

Next: Paulinho admits that he considered Barcelona move

This means that Barcelona have already contacted Manolas’ agent. The signing of Manolas would be expensive, but beneficial for the club.

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